Uni drop off

[dancingdirty]

How long did you spend with your DC when dropping them off ?
My DD goes next wknd and I have a wedding on the same day so trying to squeeze it all in

Thanks

Our 60 was quite fast given the tasks to be done - parents had to queue to park in special areas, then we had to wait in a hall and talk to other parents and the warden, then child came back to us and we did a lot of trips upstairs unloading his stuff. I did not stay to check if wifi were working and that kind of thing and just left him to it. I took his twin 2 days earlier when he started (same university but he had a field trip so had to arrive early) an d that was very very quick as just about no one else arrived at the time we did and on that day.

We dropped dd off on Saturday. Dh was very firm about unloading her stuff then leaving her to it, but at the very last minute he couldn't come. Dsis and dsil stepped in and we ended up having a lovely girls day out. We bumped up on the double yellows outside the hall (the guy directing us was ok with this - not impeding traffic or pedestrians in any way), unloaded the car, and got everything up to her room whilst dsil parked up in the multi-storey next door.

If she'd wanted us to leave we would have, but the the girls that were there were also with family, so we helped unpack everything, arrange her room and kitchen supplies and then go out for lunch. About 3.5 hours probably.

Dropped DD2 on Saturday. Almost a 4 hour drive so we were glad of a break. Queued to get her key but as we were close to the end of the time slot, they let us park up for longer than the allocated 20 minutes as it was quiet. DD1 & I helped her to unpack and sort out some stuff.

DD1 & I set off to the supermarket and DH arrived with her bike so DD2 & DH sorted that then drove to the supermarket. Bought her the big stuff like tins, big sack of pasta etc & drove it back. We ate our sandwiches at the picnic table outside her flat then said our goodbyes & left. DD2 knew that DD1 & I wanted to listen to the football commentary on the radio on the way home & we wanted to be on the road before 3 so we could get home in daylight. So we left around 2:30 as loads of new people were showing up. No tears from anyone.

DD1's drop-off is next week. That's just over 4 hours so it'll be a dawn start....

We had a similar situation with dd's first flatmate not arriving for 3/4 hours. We had an hour's parking pass for the uni & gave dd the option of staying or joining us for lunch. She felt a bit uncomfortable being left alone in the flat waiting for the others to arrive, so came to lunch & we were probably there for about 3 hours in total. Your dd might be happy to have that bit of peace alone to get used to her space, but maybe offer a coffee/walk so she has the option if she wants.

All three of mine about an hour to help unpack and then they clearly wanted to get on with meeting their new flat mates...it’s very overwhelming for them and having mother fussing around would have made it more stressful. It’s s hard but as a Mum and Dad we just have to be brave !! Good luck everyone and breathe.X

We were there for about five hours in all, but that included picking up keys, unloading, quick flit around supermarket, lunch in city centre, quick flit around Wilko, unpack major items and make bed.

We didn't want to cramp her style, so left her to it, but her flatmates' parents lingered on, so she then had a go at us for leaving too soon. Can't win!

Only an hour as it was a week day and we needed to get back for other DC.

Am surprised by there being so many quick turnarounds.
After a 3 hour drive, I wasn't ready to start that back without a decent break in the middle.
For both of mine it actually takes quite a while (20mins say) to get through the processing to get the room key and literally first get in the room from arriving on campus. Then you have to unload the car. I took each of mine out to lunch too, so left them 'fed'. Then I helped a bit with making up the bed, etc.
Do be led by your dc though - if the flat is full, then nice to leave them to get to know their new flatmates. If they are the only one there, then nic to stay a bit longer.

All that said, if you are attending a wedding and need to leave, then you need to leave, so question is a bit mute.

Plus of course, all campuses are different. Some have such little parking that parents cars have to be in and out on a strict timetable. Others have a lot more, and others have arrival day spread over more days.

Managed well yesterday. Got there for 9 managed to help unpack and sort room totally and others were just arriving as I got ready and then left for wedding.
May have cried a bit on the drive home though

My daughter has been at uni for 2 weeks. We had half an hour drop off slot, then food shopping, then out for dinner. I cried when I left her, but stayed in a premier inn that night as was to late to drive back. Was hard driving away the next day, but we have both been fine since

2 hours in total including unloading stuff, making his bed & helping unpack a bit. It was suddenly obvious he was ready for us to go, so we did. 7 hours driving in total!